Ryan Divish
Havre Daily News Sports Editor
rdivish@havredailynews.com
The sport of soccer is growing on the Hi-Line and it was more than evident at the Montana Cup in Butte on June 11-12.
Three teams of local athletes represented the area in solid fashion as members of the Hi-Line United soccer program.
The Hi-Line United Black team, coached by Tim Hagen, finished second in the Big Sky League Pool with a 2-2 record. The United opened pool play wit a 5-2 win over Big Timber. Chris Owens had a big game, scoring four goals to lead the way. Eric Olsen also added a goal, while Tyler Myers had 18 saves in goal.
In game two of pool play, the United dropped a tough 2-0 decision to Stevensville. Myers had 22 saves in the game. The United rebounded with a 3-1 win over Whitehall to wrap up pool play. Owens scored two goals and Myers scored a goal and also had 11 saves in goal, splitting time at two different positions.
The 2-1 record in pool play advanced the United into the championship game where they fell to Laurel 4-3.
Owens provided the offense, scoring all three goals. Myers had 15 saves.
Other players on the United Big Sky League team were Christina Armstrong, Carly Chenoweth, Kris Cote, Scott Geda, Kevin Golden, Allen Granlund, Jordan Hagen, Isaac Hutton, Andy Keim, C.J. Leeds, Patrick Louvar, Drew MacRae, Jason Mudrow, Ken Pester and Troy Williams.
In the U-18 division, the Hi-Line United Red team, coached by John Ita, also had a good weekend finishing 2-2.
In the opening game, the United lost to the Livingston Raiders 3-2 in a tough game.
Drue Ita and Kyle MacKay scored the team's goals, while Shiloh Barrett was strong in goal.
In the second game, the United rebounded with a 2-0 win over Belgrade as Bruce Beecher and Frank Lippy scored goals.
The United wrapped up pool play in dominant fashion, defeating the Kootenai Rapids 6-0. Ita and Jake Verploegen scored two goals each to lead the way. MacKay and Kyle Welch added a goal apiece.
The 2-1 record placed the United in the championship game in a rematch with Livingston. The Raiders again came out on top with a 2-1 win. Ita scored the United's only goal.
Also playing for the United U-18 team were Andrew Hanson, Levi Hutton, Bruce Beecher, Michael Welch, Blake Nelson, Jacob Verploegen, Jase Madsen and Taylor Ita.
Havre also sent a middle school team, coached by Robin Myers, that finished third in its division. The team included Carson Pollington, Raferty Reddies, Payton Robertson, Erik Woodwick, Amber Odegard, Tyler Ellis, Kadee Burrington, Eric Leyba, Logan Pike, Jordon Hobson, Abigail Ita, Jessica Howland, Tabby Myers and Jayson Burrington.
